AN: So this one wasn't with my normal challenge however when watching the latest episode of Chicago Fire this idea poped into my head when I heard the following line: "Let's hope the rest of the shift is nothing but cat's stuck up a tree" - Casey - 'Chicago Fire'. Hope you enjoy this little scene.
Walking down the street, Constable Grant was glad that things were quiet. After his time away in Brookfield, he was more than happy to have things dull and quiet for awhile.
Seeing a small figure running toward him, Nathan stopped walking. The child, Opal, came to a stop in front of him, tears staining her cheeks.
"Can you help me?"
"What's wrong?" Nathan asked, kneeling down so that he wasn't towering over the little girl.
"My new kitten is stuck up in a tree."
"Cats tend to come down from trees on their own when they're ready," Nathan told her.
"That's what Mommy said. But Mittens is still little. What if she gets hurt climbing down. If I was stuck up in a tree you'd help me down, wouldn't you?"
Nathan smiled. Sometimes it was hard to argue with the simple logic of a child. "Where's the kitten?"
"I'll show you," Opal said turning and heading back in the direction she had come from.
Getting to his feet, Nathan followed the little girl. Soon, they were approaching a small grouping of trees. A handful of people had already gathered, including Opal's mother, who was trying to coax the kitten down.
The kitten was clearly scared. It's cries could be clearly heard and Nathan had a feeling it wasn't going to attempt to come down on its own anytime soon. Knowing that Opal would be upset if the cat was left in the tree, Nathan examined the tree. From the looks of it, he should be able to climb far enough up to reach the cat.
Nathan walked toward the tree. Reaching the tree, he reached up and tested the strength of some of the lower branches.
"Surely you're not planning on climbing up there?" Opal's mother said.
"The branches seem sturdy enough," Nathan replied as he put on his gloves.
Nathan started to climb. He went slowly, testing branches as he went. Below, the onlookers had went silent, making the cries of the kitten up above more pitiful. Before long, he was high enough to reach up for the scared kitten. The scared animal backed slowly away, making it harder to get a hold of. Eventually though he was able to pick the animal up. As it sunk its claws into his gloves, Nathan was glad for the leather protecting his skin.
Tucking the kitten into his uniform jacket, Nathan began his descent. As his feet hit the ground, a cheer went up from the small crowd. Trying to ignore everyone else, Nathan looked for Opal. The little girl wasn't far away and taking the kitten out of his jacket he knelt down in front of her and handed her the kitten.
"Mittens!" Opal said happily, hugging the kitten close to her. "Thank-you Mountie Nathan!" the girl said before turning to rejoin her mother.
Nathan got to his feet, a bit surprised by the familiar address by the little girl. Before he could go anywhere though Opal was back.
"I'm sorry, Mountie Grant," she said. "Mommy said I should show proper respect."
Nathan smiled, and knelt down again. "While your mom makes a good point, and as a rule it is best to use a Mountie's last name, its okay with me if you call me Mountie Nathan."
Opal smiled before closing the distance and giving Nathan a quick hug. "I still miss Mountie Jack, but I'm glad you're here," she said before turning to rejoin her mother.
Nathan got to his feet feeling like he had done more than just save a kitten from the tree. It felt like he had taken a step to be accepted by the people of Hope Valley.